Taylor presides over county court hearings

The Honorable Donna Taylor heard multiple cases during the Jan. 15 session of Antelope County Court.

Rashawn I. Gooden, 29, of Stanton, failed to appear in Antelope County Court, Jan. 15, for arraignment on one count of driving under suspension/before reinstatement, a Class III misdemeanor, stemming from an Oct. 8 incident.

When he originally appeared before Antelope County Judge Donna Taylor on Nov. 20, Gooden requested additional time to get his license before entering a plea. Taylor granted the continuance.

During the arraingment, Taylor said the county attorney may file a motion, affidavit and order for an arrest warrant.

Gregg Mott, of Tilden, appeared for arraignment on a nuisance abatement charge originally filed Oct. 16 by City of Tilden officials. On Oct. 21, Mott requested a continuance due to a medical issue.

Michael Brogan, Tilden city attorney, did not object, and the case was continued until Jan. 15, when the defendant pleaded no contest. He is scheduled to appear March 19 for sentencing.

Hector A. Perez, 46, of Orchard, appeared for arraignment on one count of driving during revocation/impound-2nd/3rd offense, a Class II misdemeanor.

The charge stems from a Jan. 6 incident in which a Nebraska State Patrol trooper witnessed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Highway 20 thought to be driven by Perez. According to the probable cause affidavit, the trooper ran a check on the license plate to confirm the owner had a revoked Nebraska driver's license from a previous DUI conviction.

The trooper initiated a traffic stop near Johnson Street, in Royal, and confirmed Perez as the driver.

That day, Taylor set bond in the amount of $4,000, 10%, and ordered Perez not to operate a motor vehicle or he will be immediately arrested and bond revoked.

Perez pleaded guilty. Taylor will sentence the Orchard resident on March 5.

Oscar Lopez Hernandez, 23, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, appeared for arraignment on one count of Assault - threaten/menace/mutual consent, a Class II misdemeanor, resulting from a Dec. 18 incident.

Hernandez was adjudged indigent and Antelope County Public Defender Patrick Carney was appointed to defend as counsel. Perez will appear March 5 for further arraingment.

Marcos Lopez, 28, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, appeared for arraignment on one count of Assault - threaten/menace/mutual consent, a Class II misdemeanor resulting from a Dec. 18 incident.

Lopez was found to be indigent and Taylor appointed Martin Klein as counsel.

Lopez will appear March 5 for further arraignment.

Mark W. Patrick, 26, of Neligh, failed to appear for a pretrial hearing on one count of driving during revocation/impound-1st, a Class II misdemeanor and one count of speeding 16-20 MPH county/state, an infraction.

On Nov. 20, Patrick appeared before Taylor, pleaded not guilty to both counts and requested a jury trial.

Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith asked to set a pretrial hearing in December. Patrick Carney, representing Patrick, asked for a continuance until Jan. 15 and, since the state did not object, Taylor approved the request.

During the Jan. 15 court session, Carney advised Taylor he had communicated with Patrick and noted the defendant has been attempting to get a valid license.

Smith informed the court that the defendant has failed to appear in previous court cases. Taylor said a warrant will not be issued if Patrick appears on Feb. 5 for a pretrial hearing.

Bond continues at $3,000, 10%.